The coronavirus relief bill includes a direct payment to most Americans, but this has MassHealth recipients wondering how the payment will affect them. Because the payment is not income, it should not count against a MassHealth recipient’s eligibility.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides a one-time direct payment of $1,200 to...
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SHOULD YOU BRING YOUR PARENT HOME FROM THE NURSING HOME DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC?
With the coronavirus pandemic hitting nursing homes and assisted living facilities especially hard, families are wondering whether they should bring their parents or other loved ones home. It is a tough decision with no easy answers.
The number of coronavirus cases in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the...
USING A DONOR-ADVISED FUND MAY BE A WAY TO GET A CHARITABLE TAX BREAK UNDER THE NEW TAX LAW
Donor-advised funds are a growing trend in giving that may get more popular due to the new tax law. These funds allow you to donate money, receive a charitable tax deduction, and continue to grow the money until you are ready to distribute it to a charity or charities of your choice.
A donor-advised...
TIPS ON CREATING AN ESTATE PLAN THAT BENEFITS A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Parents want their children to be taken care of after they die. But children with disabilities have increased financial and care needs, so ensuring their long-term welfare can be tricky. Proper planning by parents is necessary to benefit the child with a disability, including an adult child, as well as assist any...
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LIVING WILL AND A DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDER?
It is a very good idea to create advance directives in order to plan for the possibility that you may one day be unable to make your own medical decisions. In doing so, there can be confusion about the difference between a living will and a "do-not-resuscitate" order (DNR). While both these...
A FINAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT DISTRIBUTION MUST STILL BE MADE AFTER DEATH
Federal law requires that beginning on April 1 of the year after you reach age 70 1/2, you must begin withdrawing a minimum amount from your non-Roth individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k) accounts. These withdrawals are called required minimum distributions (RMDs).
But what if you die after age 70 1/2...
SHOULD YOU SELL YOUR LIFE INSURANCE POLICY?
Older Americans with a life insurance policy that they no longer need have the option to sell the policy to investors. These transactions, called "life settlements," can bring in needed cash, but are they a good idea?
If your children are grown and your mortgage paid off, you may decide that there is...
NEW LAW MAKES BIG CHANGES TO RETIREMENT PLANS
President Trump has signed a spending bill that makes major changes to retirement plans. The new law is designed to provide more incentives to save for retirement, but it may require workers to rethink some of their planning.
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act changes the law surrounding retirement plans in...
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN MAY QUALIFY FOR THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT
Raising a grandchild can be tough financially, but grandparents should be aware that there is a tax credit available that could help them. Working grandparents who are supporting their grandchildren may qualify for the earned income tax credit, which could reduce the amount they pay in taxes by thousands of dollars or...
WILL MY ADVANCE DIRECTIVE WORK IN ANOTHER STATE?
Making sure your end-of-life wishes are followed no matter where you happen to be is important. If you move to a different state or split your time between one or more states, you should make sure your advance directive is valid in all the states you frequent.
An advance...